Kearney Specialist Associate

As a Specialist Associate at Kearney, you will be a key contributor to the growth and development of Kearney ignite as we offer honest advice and practical guidance to our clients. Kearney ignite is Kearney’s global multidisciplinary team of customer innovation specialists. The team helps businesses achieve sustainable growth that is both defensible and responsible. Inspired by what matters most to end consumers, delivered by empowering organizations.

Working alongside a dedicated and diverse set of people, you will work alongside our clients to define and implement strategies that will deliver both short-term results and longer-term competitiveness in this ever-changing market environment.  

Through unique hands-on experiences, you will broaden your knowledge across a breadth of topics while developing relationships with clients and colleagues across the firm. With the freedom to be yourself and recognition for what you bring to the table, you can put your purpose into action and help build a future that works for everyone, everywhere—as a Kearney Original. 

Who you are 

After nearly 100 years, we know this business is fundamentally about making connections—between facts, figures, insights, strategies, tools, technologies, and above all, people. That’s why we look for collaborative, insightful, and inquisitive problem-solvers who don’t accept the first thing in front of them and who are always unapologetically themselves. 

In addition, we look for individuals with the following experience or qualities: 

• A proven record of academic excellence.
• Have a passion for customer innovation, human-centered design, design thinking.
• At least four years of working experience in a rigorous environment, such as a global company or consulting firm (Big 4, MBB) or PE firm OR experience in growing start-up or scale-up businesses.
• Proven track record (4+ yrs) of designing, building, and launching customer inspired innovations (products/ services, CX, customer care innovations, business models).
• Tangible experience with business build execution is preferred (interim product management, growth hacking, venture architecting, leading tech teams and solutions).
• Experience with leading and managing teams and / or projects or part of a bigger project.
• Strong critical thinking and analytical capabilities, ability to think on your feet.
• Natural self-direction, with the ability to operate in ambiguity and learn quickly.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• An innovative and collaborative approach to problem-solving.
• Eagerness to collaborate, coach, mentor, and help others grow professionally.
• Willingness to work globally, travel to the project location.
• Experience with agile ways of working (e.g. SCRUM, SAFE certified) is preferred.

Responsibilities:

• Working side-by-side with strategic designers, UX/UI designers, data scientists, engineers and consultants to develop customer innovation.
• Leading the delivery of part of a project / stream incl. planning, problem-solving, managing a small team.
• Developing actionable recommendations and customer solutions that are desirable, viable and feasible.
• Leading the design and definition of visions for product, service, experience or new business line that align with client strategic priorities and customer expectations.
• Planning, managing and executing qualitative and quantitative customer research (ethnographic research, depth interviews customer surveys, other);
• Analyzing qualitative and quantitative data you and others have gathered to extract findings, make recommendations and guide product / experience / venture design.
• Planning and facilitating client workshops to ideate customer inspired solutions for our clients and problem solve together with the client.
• Consulting with our clients' senior management and executive leaders.
• Innovating ignite value propositions, methodologies and assets that contribute to our purpose of driving sustainable growth of our clients.
• Identifying business development opportunities and develop proposals for new engagements with clients.
• Collaborating with global specialists, experts and partners to bridge client capability gaps and drive tangible outcomes.
• Coaching and mentoring junior colleagues.
• Self-directing within consulting and innovation teams with the initiative to contribute beyond the scope of formal project duties (e.g. leading and supporting internal initiatives).

What we can offer you 

Every day, our people work to be the difference for our clients, our communities, and our colleagues. Helping them make an impact, they are sustained by a competitive remuneration package plus comprehensive benefits and perks, including but not limited to: 

·       Generous retirement/pension savings contributions 

·       Comprehensive medical insurance for employees and immediate family 

·       Gym membership discounts  

·       Non-partner equity-based awards (for consulting managers and above) 

·       Structured and on-the-job learning and development opportunities 

·       Personalized opportunities including talent mobility, flexible work programs, and externships to help you chart a unique career journey to pursue your own personal and professional goals 

Associate Compensation (post MBA) - $188,000 - $194,000: However, it is important to note that at Kearney, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the top of the range for their role. Individual salaries within each range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, office location, knowledge and skills. Kearney reviews compensation regularly and may adjust base salaries to reflect market competitiveness. In addition to salary, individuals may be eligible for a discretionary performance bonus. Our full suite of benefits includes paid time off, paid sick time off, 401(k) match and profit sharing, medical, dental and vision coverage, healthcare concierge, backup child/adult care, annual employer HSA contribution, home office stipend, subsidized Gympass and annual wellness program, and leaves of absence when needed to support employees’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being. 

Read more about our benefits and a career at Kearney.com/careers. 

Equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination 
Kearney prides itself on providing a culture where our employees belong and thrive equally, which means our people feel comfort, confidence, and joy as they do great things for our firm, our colleagues, and our clients. That’s why Kearney is committed to building a diverse workforce and inclusive environment. Kearney is an equal opportunity employer; we recruit, hire, train, promote, develop, and provide other conditions of employment without regard to a person’s gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, pregnancy status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other differences consistent with applicable laws. This includes providing reasonable accommodation for disabilities or religious beliefs and practices. We encourage everyone to apply, including those who may not feel historically represented in consulting.